DUSSELDORF - Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Thursday that they have adjusted constitution and laws of Turkey to the European Union (EU) norms.
Arinc met with North Rhine Westphalia State Parliament Speaker Ulrich Schmidt.
Noting that Turkey fulfilled very important reforms regarding the EU and its Parliament and government have taken very good decisions, Arinc said, ``we have adjusted our constitution and laws to the EU norms. We already accept ourselves as a member of European family.``
Arinc said that Turkey wanted to start membership negotiations with the decision of the EU and complete this process by being full member of the EU in the end of year. He added, ``we do not want to be treated with a discriminative or privileged attitude. Turkey does not consider such a thing. However, our partnership process, which started with Ankara Agreement in 1963 and including the signatures of German politicians as well, should be completed with full membership at current stage.``
Arinc wished parliamentary friendship groups to visit each other soon and he invited Schmidt to Turkey.
Schmidt said that he hoped EU heads of states and governments would take a decision in the end of year in favor of Turkey`s wish.
Noting that Turkey could have an important role in solution of Middle East problem, Schmidt said that Turkey has paved on democracy path as an example after 1983.
(GC-AÖ) 17.06.2004